WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam was known for his colorful and unique ring gear, which became a major part of his look. However, the WWE Hall of Famer recently revealed the company once wanted him to change it.
Speaking on 1 Of A Kind with RVD, Van Dam discussed how much control WWE had over wrestlers’ ring attire. According to RVD, management rarely got involved. However, recalled one period when WWE tried to change his look.
At the time, RVD was wearing his signature airbrushed outfits made by Joe Holland. He said Michael Hayes approached him and suggested a different style.
RVD recalls WWE wanting to change his ring gear
“If you hadn’t heard the story, you know, I was wearing the airbrush outfits that Joe Holland would make for me. And Michael Hayes pulled me aside one time. He called it tie-dye. Something completely different.”
Hayes reportedly suggested gear that looked more like Kurt Angle’s attire.
“‘You know what I’m saying? So, we were thinking, you know, like getting the seamstress to make it something a little thicker or something, something like what Kurt Angle wears, only make it more like you. You know, talk to them and find something that works for you and have them make you something.'”
RVD admitted he wasn’t eager to make the switch. He put it off a few times until WWE made an outfit for him, showing they were serious.
“They made an outfit for me. It was black, and it’s got like a silver dragon on it and a couple other patches that they sewed on. It was very much like the Kurt Angle outfit as far as the material and the cut. And I missed the airbrushing that I thought had bright colors and was totally different and unique and nobody was doing it. I thought that the fans really liked it, too. And so, the outfit they made, maybe two, I think. One is black, and it’s got like a red dragon gimmick, and the other one has like a silver gimmick.”
Rob Van Dam said his solution was to wear WWE’s outfits on live events, where there weren’t any cameras.
“That way, I could wear it and rinse it out and wear it three times a week. Whereas my airbrush outfits, they fade every single time I wear them.”
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